without a single word, for he took a deep interest in their proceedings, and he was delighted to be present at a meeting of men who, though entertaining different opinions on other matters, banded themselves together in this great and noble effort for the benefit of the human race. He would at once express his entire concurrence in the Resolution-a concurrence given for this reason, that he was quite convinced that it was not in a prison that the reformation of a child could be effected. They must have, with the view of effecting a permanent reformation-a reformation which should extend over the life of the reformed, that system which was known in Germany as "the individualising system"-a system under which persons able and willing for the task might apply themselves to each individual case, and might treat each child committed to their charge with that minute care and affection which a parent would exhibit towards a child. In a prison conducted under a species of military discipline it was impossible that such a system could work. He had seen in those institutions with which he was connected, in the treatment of children of tender years, a system which savoured not of authority and coercion, and that system had successfully worked. The tender hearts of children rose against coercion, and though authority might be brought to bear upon them, it must be enforced with kindness and affection. His right hon. friend the chairman had referred to the enormous expenses inflicted by the prosecution of the criminal under the present system, but he might have shown also that one criminal cost more to the country than would be incurred by reforming a dozen children. He would state a fact which would probably cause surprise, that the commission of crime in Liverpool cost that town £700,000 annually, while onefourth of that sum, devoted to the purposes for which that Conference had assembled, would cut up the whole system of crime. He felt certain, from his experience, that there must be some amount of previous suffering before they could bring the system of reformation into effect. He had seen, in both adults and children, that all who came to Houses of Refuge came there worn out by vexation and sorrow; but though they came not there in the spirit of repentance, but to seek an asylum in their hour of misery, yet when they were there, kindness and sympathy took effect, and with the best results. He had seen many, many instances, both of men and children, who had been hitherto met with only kicks and curses, so completely broken down by kindness and prayer, that they, the very outcasts of society, had become as sheep in the hands of their leaders, and, having gone forth from their refuge, were now walking with the very best of the land. That was the secret of Dr. Guthrie's successful system in Edinburgh. Mr. Adderley said, that he had taken the best means in his power to ascertain the feeling of competent persons through out the kingdom on the Bill which he had introduced in the House of Commons on this subject. He would be glad if the Conference could consider the Bill in detail; and he would be glad, upon the first day of the session, to ask the Government to allow him to give notice of his intention to introduce the Bill, promising at the same time to withdraw it on the appearance of any Ministerial measure on the subject. The Rev. J. A. James, of Birmingham, said there was no class of Christian benevolence which could be excited in a more admirable cause. He regretted, however, that a national reproach had been so long cast upon the country on account of the neglected state of juvenile education. It was gratifying, even at the eleventh hour, to see all classes of religionists joining to reform the youthful offender, and to restore him to the paths of virtue. He believed that much good would be effected if shopkeepers and manufacturers generally would not be so hasty in consigning a child caught in a fault to the care of the police. He had resided for a great many years in Birmingham, and he was assured of the fact that the moment the finger of a policeman touched a culprit not wholly hardened, he lost his sense of self-respect, and stood abashed and fallen in his own estimation and in that of others. Let them, therefore, rather study Heaven's law of love by a judicious and kind system of prison discipline, which would eventu ally restore them to society, and drawing them with the cords of affection, teach them to go and sin no more. Mr. Joseph Sturge said he was not one of those who objected to legislation, yet he feared that if it were pressed too far it might paralyse the voluntary principle. He feared that the experiment made by Mr. Adderley had not as yet had a fair trial; but a great deal depended upon strict moral principles of those who con ducted institutions of the sort. He would prefer to see the Resolution modified, so the as to enable the Government to encourage the establishment of Reformatory Schools, without making it at once compulsory, for he apprehended that the selection of injudicious persons to manage the institution might peril the foundation altogether. Mr. Power, Recorder of Ipswich, said, with respect to the Bill introduced into Parliament by Mr. Adderley, and which he had expressed his intention of reintroducing at the commencement of the next session, that Bill, considering the leading part which its author had taken in the proceedings of this Conference, would be deemed to have the sanction of the meeting to its provisions; and it appeared to him that it was altogether an unnecessary restriction to confine, as was purposed by this Bill, its operation merely to children convicted summarily of larceny. With respect to a child, the nature of the crime was but a poor index to the degree of criminality in the of fender, and many a child convicted of arson, and other crimes, to which a severe penalty was affixed, was quite as fit a subject to be sent to a Reformatory School, instead of to a prison, as one convicted of larceny. Mr. Hill, Q.C., said he had just received a communication from Lady Noel Byron, which he was anxious to mention. That lady, in a spirit of benevolent generosity beyond all praise, had already given a prize of £300 to the authors of the two best Essays on the Reformation of Juvenile Criminals; and she now made another offer to the effect, that if the Conference approved of the appointment of a lecturer, to expound their principles and promote their views, she would bear the whole of the expense. He begged to move that the offer be accepted, and that it be referred to a Committee to be appointed at the Conference. The Conference was also addressed by the Right Hon. the Earl of Harrowby, William Rathbone, Esq.; M. Milnes, Esq., M.P.; Mr. Cadbury, Mr. Corbett, Rev. Mr. Field, Rev. Mr. Joseph, Mr. Jelinger Symons, Rev. Sydney Turner, Rev. Mr. Clay, Rev. W. C. Osborne, Mr. Ware, Mr. Muntz, M.P.; and Major Mair. The Resolutions were agreed to; and a Memorial, founded on them, to be presented to the Home Secretary, was adopted. The proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to Sir John Pakington for his ability and impartiality in the chair. We propose to give in our next the proceedings of the Evening Meeting, presided over by the Earl of Shaftesbury. SCHOOL AGENTS. In our first article of the present number, we have given a general idea of the extent of the operations of the Ragged School Union, and of the persons by whom the noble work has hitherto been accomplished. In some schools there is, doubtless, more system and efficiency than in others. With a view to benefit those which may be in need of improved plans, meetings have been occasionally held of persons representing the various schools in and around London, at which a variety of topics have been discussed, all directly bearing upon school operation. It was, however, found necessary, about two years ago, to appoint an officer to assist Committees and Teachers of existing schools in rendering their institutions efficient; and when needed to open new schools, and in various other ways carry out the objects of the Society. The officer then appointed was Mr. Ferry, who has continued to the present in the discharge of the onerous duties assigned to him. The work has been increasing year by year, and it is now found needful to have two other gentlemen associated with him, and London to be divided into three sections, one agent to be located in each. The Committee have, with much care, examined the testimonials of various candidates for the two additional offices, and have agreed in appointing Mr. Milne and Mr. Hytche as school agents. The present arrangement is, for Mr. Ferry to take the oversight of schools in the east and north of London, Mr. Milne in the south, and Mr. Hytche those in the west. We hope the friends of all our schools will give the newly appointed agents, the same cordial reception as has been generally awarded to Mr. Ferry, remembering that the object of their appointment is not to discover faults with a view to exposure, but rather to ascertain in what way the efficiency or extension of school operations may be promoted, and then, as far as is practicable, to render the aid required. Their desire is to visit the schools as warm-hearted friends, and as such we desire to commend and introduce them to our friends. ka dep both of men and children, who had hitherto met with only kicks and of so completely broken down by and prayer, that they, the very dhof society, had become as sheep in th and able of their leaders, and, having g from their refuge, were now walkin the best of the land. That secret of Dr. Guthrie's wacces Mr. Adderley said, that he Bridal Government to allow him f his intention to inte promising at the same ti them, thefore, rather 111 le of of nice ncy the new This the before other of the esbury, to the special sent to s to the d. It is ithdrawn, question, w shut up etioned by opt and to h has been tably to this ot speak too airman, said, bear on this be done more posed, as this m, uniting in Poetry. THE NEW YEAR.-1854. Gather them in; gather them in; Bear them at once to the quieter rule Gather them in; gather them in; hair. Turn not the clean from the open gate, Notices of Meetings, etc. CROWN SQUARE, WALWORTH. ON Wednesday evening, the 23rd of November, notwithstanding the dense fog that prevailed, and which was the cause of so many serious accidents, a well attended and interesting meeting, in behalf of the above school, was held in White Lion Street School Room. F. Cuthbertson, Esq., in the chair. The Report, as read by the Secretary, stated that the operations which had hitherto been successfully carried on in the present schoolroom, were now considerably impeded by the smallness of the room, the inconvenient approach to it, and insufficient supply of teachers. The Committee had, in consequence of these J. P. Within things, and the constant expenditure required Several Notices of Meetings are deferred for want of space. |